The 2024/25 UEFA Europa League has its finalists, and it’s an all-English showdown. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur triumphed in their semi-final ties, setting up a Premier League clash in the final on May 21. This guarantees the Europa League trophy returns to England and, more significantly, secures a record six Champions League spots for the Premier League next season. This development has stirred debates about English football’s growing dominance in Europe.
United Hit Top Gear, Mount Silences Critics
At Old Trafford, Manchester United hosted La Liga side Athletic Bilbao in the second leg of their semi-final. Despite falling behind in the 31st minute to a stunning long-range strike from Oier Zarraga, the Red Devils responded with authority in the second half. Goals from Mason Mount, Casemiro, Rasmus Højlund, and a stoppage-time second from Mount sealed a commanding 4–1 victory, completing a 7–1 aggregate win.
The night belonged to Mount. Criticised for much of the season and only recently scoring his first goal for United in their dramatic 3–4 league defeat to Brentford, Mount picked the perfect stage to silence doubters. His brace changed the match’s momentum and may have redefined his trajectory at Old Trafford.
With this result, United remain unbeaten in the Europa League this season, with nine wins and five draws from 14 matches, a new club record for their longest unbeaten run in European competition. Under manager Rúben Amorim, United is building something special, and now they’re one win away from lifting the Europa League trophy for the first time since 2017.
Spurs Back on the Big Stage After Dream Performance
Tottenham, meanwhile, travelled to Norway to face surprise package Bodø/Glimt and delivered a composed performance. The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute when Cristian Romero set up Dominic Solanke, before Pedro Porro added a sensational second with a long-range strike. The 2–0 win on the night secured a 5–1 aggregate victory.
This will be Spurs’ fourth appearance in a Europa League (formerly UEFA Cup) final and their first since the competition’s rebranding. They previously won the tournament in 1972 and 1984 and were runners-up in 1974. Their return to a European final after four decades signals a potential revival for the North London club.
Six Premier League Teams in Next Season’s Champions League
With the Europa League title now guaranteed to land in England, UEFA’s coefficients award the Premier League an additional Champions League place for the 2025/26 campaign. That means six Premier League clubs will compete in Europe’s top competition next season, a historic feat that underscores the depth and competitiveness of English football.
What’s even more remarkable is the domestic context of both finalists. Manchester United currently sit 15th in the Premier League, while Tottenham are just one spot above in 16th. Whichever side lifts the trophy will become the lowest-ranked domestic team ever to win the Europa League, rewriting the competition’s history books.
The unexpected emergence of two struggling league sides in the Europa League final has sparked broader conversations. Is this a testament to the Premier League’s mid-table strength, or does it reveal a dip in competitiveness across the rest of Europe?
From United’s record-breaking unbeaten run and Mount’s redemption arc to Spurs’ long-awaited return to a major European final, this season’s Europa League campaign has elevated the Premier League’s global image.
The final on May 21 is a thrilling climax, a battle of redemption, revival, and a shot at European glory.
